Erickson: Mock Draft 1.0
This is my first mock draft after the 49ers traded three first round picks and a 3rd round pick in 2023, to move up to pick number 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. I’ll be honest, I do not know a lot about college players, but I do have a good idea on what positions the 49ers need to fill. I used the NFL Draft game on First-Pick, to make my selections. So enjoy.
Round 1 Pick 3: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Justin Fields was selected number 2, so Zach Wilson fell into my lap. If Jets take Wilson, the 49ers will draft Fields. I feel both Wilson and Fields are the two quarterbacks Kyle is targetting.
Round 2 Pick 11: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
The 49ers still need help at the DB position, they locked up Emmanuel Moseley for two years and Jason Verrett signed a one year deal. Outside of that the 49ers have nothing but second/third tier type players. So look for the 49ers to bolster their secondary with Samuel Jr.
Round 3 Pick 38 (COMP): Ronnie Perkins, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
The status of Dee Ford is up in the air and the 49ers are not sure what they’ll get out of the recent signing of Samson Ebukam. The 49ers still need depth at the rushing position. We saw last season how they struggled to get to the QB when Bosa went out with injury, with sack leader Kerry Hyder going to Seattle, the 49ers need depth and possible starter opposite Bosa
Round 4 Pick 12: Ben Cleveland, OG, Georgia
The 49ers have Laken Tomlinson on the left side and look for an extension of some sort soon for him. On the other side of the line, they have Brunskill and not a lot after that. The 49ers need depth on the offensive line an Ben Cleveland would be a good fit to push for the starting right guard position.
Round 5 Pick 11: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
The 49ers have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Outside of that a lot of unprovens. Kendrick Bourne left for New England and the 49ers brought Mohamed Sanu back on a one year deal, but he struggled to keep a roster spot last season so not sure that changes this year.
Round 5 Pick 28: Divine Deablo, FS/SS, Virginia Tech
Just like the cornerback position the 49ers have players on one year deals and depth is unproved/shaky at best. Look for the 49ers to add depth and give Deablo a shot at starting in 2023.
Round 5 Pick 36 (COMP): Drew Dalman, C/OG, Stanford
Dalman can play center and guard, the 49ers did sign veteran center Alex Mack to a multi year deal, but he is getting up there in age and Dalman could be a good player to have backing up both the center and guard positions.
Round 6 Pick 11: Olaijah Griffin, CB, USC
Picks late in the draft are usually hit or miss, but mostly miss. Look for the 49ers to add more depth in the secondary position.
Round 7 Pick 2: Elijah Mitchell, RB, Louisiana Lafayette
I’m one that feels the 49ers don’t need a high pick at running-back, if you look at their current backs all of them are UDFA’s. The 49ers have a nice duo in Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr, but both had some injuries they dealt with. Look for 49ers to add another running-back or two in camp and see what happens.
